mjseverson24

This thread is interesting... Cant go fishing up in MN 3+ ft of ice, all i can do is watch fishing video's (seen all of them or at least it seems like it) and talk about fishing... and when the forums are slow because people in the warmer states are now out fishing, this is all we have... So i will add my little contribution because i am bored... 1) Catch lots of fish using "value" equipment-----> Awesome Good for you... 2) Catch lots of Fish using "high end" or "enthusiast" equipment------> Awesome Good for you... 3) Catch very few fish using "value" equipment------->That sucks, listen and learn, get better and maybe next year will be more productive for you... If not there is always golf... 4) Catch very few fish using "high end" or "enthusiast" equipment-----That sucks, listen and learn, get better and maybe next year will be more productive for you... if not there is always golf... Mitch

I only used spinning reels until about 3 years ago, I was very good at putting the bait right where I wanted it to go, or so I thought. I went fishing with a friend of mine and he had casting gear, watching him drop that bait consistently closer to the same targets I was casting to is what spurred my interest in them, actually experiencing the difference is why I have not bought a spinning reel in three+ years and have purchased over 30 casting reels in that time... I agree with DVT they both have a time and a place, both have strengths and weaknesses. to think that one style is the be all end all, is just silly... I would not be as effective on the water if I only fished one or the other... Mitch

Tatula at <105 or the Curado G at 100 ish, or the evercast horizon reel for like 50-60 ish. Quantum accurist is a good reel as well... Mitch

I know for me I have the desire to have quality boat/truck/electronics/tackle/gear, and when the bank account can cover the wants and desires then i will get them... So no criticism here on people with top quality stuff, only criticism i have is with the people who believe you "need" it to be good/great/best fisherman... it is just more enjoyable to fish with... that being said high end gear can actually make you a better fisherman, by adding some confidence, and a little extra confidence can go a long way... Mitch

^^^ That sucks dude, i think that is pretty rare though, i have probably made 50+ orders from them in the past couple years, and every one came on time with the right stuff... Mitch

charlie sheen... at least we would be winning!!! honestly though probably Clint Eastwood, or Stephen Hawking... the conversation would be a lot of fun... Mitch

its all about a balance between fishability and leverage. " palming" seems to be a good compromise of both... Mitch

trigger in between pinky and ring finger here... in my opinion it gives you the best level of control... i know some people hold them between their index and middle finger, but I just dont feel like there is any power there, and my wrist already hurts after a good day of fishing, if i held it like that i think it would fall off... hey but if it works for some people thats great... Mitch

if it is that frustrating it might be a good idea to put like 10-15 lb braid on it and call it a day, tie an 8-10 lb floro or mono leader on it to help with snags this will probably reduce your stress levels on this issue... Mitch

rocks- use rattling... weeds- use silent... unless it doesn't work then switch them, or use a jig... Mitch

swimjig if the clarity is good, chatterbait if it is dirty, spinnerbait if it is in between... dropshot would also be a good option... Mitch

Out on a local lake trolling for walleyes with a few buddies on a gorgeous MN summer day one guy was pretty inexperienced the other was an avid angler... About an hour into trolling after catching a mixed bag of bass, walleye, and pike, I thought my friend out of the blue slapped me in the forehead knocking off my hat... So i punched him in the arm... He looks at me like what the heck was that for, this is when we both noticed the third guy with his rod held straight up in the air looking pretty confused. he had just tried to make a cast and his line broke. well apparently he tried to cast his Deep Husky Jerk double treble stick bait, but it caught my hat just above the lip, less than 1/4 inch from my eyes, as he casted forward the force of it ripped my hat off and broke the 20 lb fireline it was attached with... The day went from a great day fishing with friends to a day i was just happy to be able to see at the end of it... needless to say i have not gone fishing with the one guy ever again... Mitch

when the fishing is really tough I pick up about five different lures. 1) dropshot with 4-7 inch finesse worm, GYCB shad tail worm, gulp alive leech/minnow 4-5" senko 2) Spinnerbait slowrolled (color and size depend on when and where) 3) C-Rig (yeah i hate to throw them, but they freaking work) 4) flick shake 5) shakey head with 4-7 in finesse worm My advice when you are in jeopardy of a skunk pick one or two spots that meet all of the requirements to hold active fish for the conditions, then just fish the crap out of these areas leaving no rock unturned so to speak... if you dont catch in these prime areas going slow and methodical, at least you know you gave it all you had... Or you can run and gun with reaction baits the choice is really yours... Good luck... Mitch

I wouldn't be very happy being limited to a small portion of the lake... it sounds like you guys got screwed by the tournament directors... I guess it was the junior qualifier though, if someone got hurt it would probably look bad on the tournament officials... Probably should have just rescheduled... Mitch

well its about 4 lbs bigger than any fish i have caught this year... nice job... Mitch

if i didn't fish when it was cold i would only get to fish in july up here in MN... Ok maybe that a bit of an exaggeration, but not by much... Mitch

Being a young kid myself (25) I still appreciate my dad taking me out fishing... memories that last a life time... Great post thanks for sharing... Mitch

nice catch... looks like fun Mitch

Nice... i am jealous my jigs just get arranged and rearranged over and over again... come on ice MELT!!! Good going those look like fun fish... Mitch

I now use mostly my own hand tied jigs, but I do like the boo-ya boo jig in BLK/BLU 1/4 oz -1/2 oz. Honestly though if I were going to buy jigs from somewhere i would go with Siebert Outdoors or Northstar custom they both have great looking products and the attention to detail is phenomenal, a level of quality not found in mass produced jigs... and the prices are reasonable... Mitch

Pitboss/slopcraw/D-bomb... i kind of suck at punching so take it for what its worth... Mitch

I have 2 rods that i throw them on, the first is a 6' ML/F St. croix Premier, the other is a 7' ML/F Triumph. i use 10 lb braid with a 8-10# 20' FC leader... Mitch

I like the micro guides as I don't use long leaders to connect 2 lines (except spinning). I don't necessarily like them for the added distance, but I do for the weight savings and balance, which makes the rod feel more sensitive... they are more easily damaged so there are downsides as well. Mitch

each year i fish mississippi river pool 4 in the winter, and the walleye run up on rainy river is cold but the fishing is amazing... typically there is water temps from 33-40 depending on the year... mitch

ducketts... not because they are ducketts but because they are a quality rod and there are 12 of them as compared to 6 of the higher end ones... Mitch